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HomeMy WebLinkAbout021022MS HFB CItyo f fort Townsend -9s,irtic��° MINUTES HOUSING FUND BOARD Special Meeting — Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Commissioners' Chambers, Jefferson County Courthouse 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (Virtual) CALL TO ORDER: Jefferson County Commissioner Greg Brotherton called the first meeting of the Joint Jefferson County/City of Port Townsend Housing Fund Board (HFB) to order. The initial elected members of the HFB participated in the meeting remotely. In addition to Commissioner Brotherton, the following individuals were also present and introduced themselves: Jefferson County Commissioner Kate Dean, City of Port Townsend Deputy Mayor/Councilmember Amy Howard, City of Port Townsend Councilmember Aislinn Diamanti, City Manager John Mauro, and Jefferson County Interim County Administrator Mark McCauley. REVIEW AND APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR AND ALTERNATE CHAIR FOR 2022: Member Brotherton noted that when the City of Port Townsend/Jefferson County Interlocal Agreement (ILA) was created, it was drafted in a way that allows the Elected Officials to be able to decide the composition and structure of the Housing Fund Board. After discussion, Member Howard stated she preferred the term"Vice-Chair"to "Alternate Chair" and the Board concurred. Member Dean moved to appoint Member Brotherton as Chair and Member Howard as Vice-Chair for 2022. Member Diamanti seconded the motion. The motion carried. REVIEW AND APPOINTMENT OF HOUSING FUND BOARD MEMBERS, BOARD COMPOSITION AND HOUSING FUND BOARD REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE: Chair Brotherton noted that the Housing Fund Board (HFB) is comprised of four Elected Officials and three citizens. City Manager Mauro suggested providing an overview of the HFB for context setting prior to discussing Board membership. Chair Brotherton stated that the newly formed HFB replaces the Affordable Housing Joint Oversight Board (JOB). The HFB will provide recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners regarding expenditures for Jefferson County Affordable Housing Fund 148 and Homeless Housing Fund 149, as well as the Affordable Housing Sales Tax implemented recently. A duty for the HFB will be to determine how new funds created through HB1509 will be awarded as currently there is no process for those funds. Chair Brotherton reviewed past work done by both the JOB and the Affordable Housing Task Force, as well as future work that needs to be done by the HFB. City Manager Mauro stated that he welcomes the renewed collaborative process to address an issue that the City of Port Townsend and Jefferson County both share. Discussion followed regarding aspirational goals that included working together with local agencies. The HFB discussed a regular meeting schedule that would work best for everyone. After discussion, Member Howard moved to hold HFB regular meetings on the 4th Wednesday of every month from 1 Housing Fund Board— Special Meeting Minutes of February 10, 2022 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Member Dean seconded the motion. The motion carried. HFB members expressed a desire to extend the application deadline for interested HFB members and modify the advertisement to include a request for more information in the following areas: technical and financial expertise, and lived experience with housing instability. The Board also expressed interest in seeking out applicants with geographic and demographic diversity. They decided to extend the application date to March 11, 2022. A request for supplemental information will be sent out to the current applicants. Chair Brotherton will work with Clerk Carolyn Gallaway to draft an updated advertisement regarding the HFB vacant positions. Interim County Administrator McCauley stated it would be a good idea to keep Treasurer Stacie Prada involved in conversations if considering debt or bond council. DISCUSSION re: AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE AND SUB- COMMITTEES: Chair Brotherton shared a draft on-page document created by City Manager Mauro regarding the new proposed role of the Affordable Housing Task Force and sub-committees. Chair Brotherton shared issues of the previous 22 member Task Force and suggested the use of sub-committees rather than having an official secondary Task Force. He proposed forming ad hoc committees from those in attendance during HFB round table discussions. Sub-committee groups could consist of the following: • Request for Proposals (RFPs) • 5-Year Plan • HB1590 Funds • Shelter Committee • Coordinated Entry Member Howard stated she was not comfortable making decisions regarding the composition of the group until after the other members are appointed and the other HFB members concurred. Prior to the next HFB meeting, members will have a chance to further review the original document created by City Manager Mauro, and Chair Brotherton's annotated version. Member Dean and other members expressed desire to create a structure where local housing providers can be a part o the conversation. Chair Brotherton stated he will solicit opinions on what would be a meaningful format for housing providers. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: The following items will be on the next Housing Fund Board (HFB) Agenda for March 23, 2022: • Approval of the Special Meeting Minutes of February 10, 2022 • Appointment of Members to the Housing Fund Board • Discussion re: Structure of the Housing Task Force or Ad Hoc Committees • Discussion re: Housing Providers' Role • Staffing Facilitation/Secondary Board 2 Housing Fund Board— Special Meeting Minutes of February 10, 2022 COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: One comment received thanking the Housing Fund Board (HFB) members for their diligence, deliberations and attempt at equity. CLOSING REMARKS: Member Diamanti stated she was previously a housing provider and is thankful for this process and in support of this next iteration. Member Dean stated she is glad to be a part of this group and would like to maintain the importance of efficiency and making good use of peoples' time. She looks forward to grappling issues such as vacation rentals and the Growth Management Act(GMA). Chair Brotherton stated that he values this process which brings people face to face with this housing continuum, viewed from slightly different perspectives. Member Howard stated she is looking forward to lots of change and new solutions. NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Brotherton adjourned the meeting at 3:13 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. Respectfully submitted by: Cd` ,4/1/' C-Kga 3/2_ 3 /lz Carolyn Callaway, Clerk f he Board Date 3